Qasr: Question & Answers

Question: If I am performing prayer with jama`ah and the jama`ah is for qasr prayer, and for me it is not qasr, what should I do? Also, can you tell me for the other way if I am to read qasr and jama`ah is not what should I do then. Also, if I have traveled to some place for dinner which is about 60 miles from home, this will be qasr but if I will reach home before the time for the prayer ends (like `Isha') then should I wait to get home so I can read full prayer or can I make qasr prayer on my own. I do not mean jama`ah-- this is for my sister.

Answer: In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

As a follower, you should follow the imam, but when the imam finishes his qasr Salah, you get up and complete the rest of the Salah (2 rak`ahs) as you are not traveler.

If you travel over 60 miles, you are considered as traveler and therefore you can do the qasr, but if you return to your city you should pray the Salah completely.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Question: Asalamu alaykum. I came to U.S. during a visit, and I pray duhur with asr & magrib with isha, but I was here 2 months, so how many months can I pray like that.
jazakumu allahu khayra. asalamu alaykum

Answer: As long as you are a traveler you can shorter the salah and not combine.

Question: As-salamu `alaykum. I am a 40-year old who recently converted to Islam. I am an English male living in the UK. I work as a Heavy Goods Vehicle driver, traveling distances greater than 48 miles Monday to Friday from approximately 5am – 4pm on a daily basis.

I work during the day, Monday to Friday, I miss Jum`ah prayer on a regular basis. I understand there is dispensation for the traveler. But as of late, I have been feeling very uneasy about missing Jum`ah Prayer for such long periods of time. In the last year I attended Jum`ah Prayer less than 10 times only (from days off, holidays, etc.) Is it permissible to do this or am I in gross error by missing Jum`ah prayers so frequently?

Answer: Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

It depends whether you travel such long distance outside the city or inside IT. If you are working in the same city and such distance is regarded as normal driving, then you are not considered as traveler no matter how far the distance would be.

If you are driving outside the city, then you are considered a traveler and the traveler is not required to pray Jum`ah. But if you find a place where Jum`ah can be performed, then you should do so, so that you don't end up having the same situation of praying few times a year.

Question: Asalamualekum Shiekh. After how many miles does a Salat beome Kasar?
Jazakallah

Answer: There is no clear cut for the distance through which a Muslim is considered a traveler. Some companions of the Prophet (SAAS) used to shorten their salah when they went farms in the outskirts of Medinah City. The distance could be a mile or a bit more than a mile. A Muslim can shorten a salah when he has the sense of being a traveler.

Question: Asalamu alaikum. My question is about combining prayers- I heard that the Prophet did this without the reason of travel or illness. So if we are out on a trip which is not far enough to be considered for travel (about 40 mi.), and its after maghrib when we head home, can we combine maghrib and isha upon arrival home, or do we have to pray on the way (which is kind of dangerous at night) Jazakumullahu khairen. A similar question: can I combine prayers if the imam is a traveler, and just make my prayer the normal length (i.e. not shorten it), e.g. maghrib and Isha? or do I have to consider my joining of the second prayer a sunnah for me if I am not traveling (which is what I normally do) Jazakumullahu khairen.

Answer: 1) Combining the salah is possible when you are in need of it, but you are not guided to combine the salah for no reason.

2) You need not miss the Jama’ah because of combining salah. If the imam combines the salah then you have the option to combine it with him. If he is the main Imam in the area, then it is preferred to follow him in salah.

Question: I have a question concerning prayers while traveling. When being a traveler, I happen to be in a Mosque for combining prayer ( such as dhuhr and `asr) – How do I behave? Do I only pray 2 rak`ahs and let the other finish their 4 rak`ahs ?

If I pray all 4 rak`ahs with them, do I then loose my status as a traveler and do I then pray for all following prayers the normal number of rak`ahs?

Can I offer 2 rak`ahs Sunnah when entering a Mosque while traveling?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

"When you are a traveler and you pray your own prayer or you pray behind a traveling Imam, so you perform qasr Salah. However, if you are praying behind a resident Imam, you have to follow him and complete the prayer even if your status remains as it is and you are free to offer Sunnah prayers during journey time, which means if you do it, it is ok, and if you don't, it is still ok.". Allah Almighty knows best

Question: As-Salaamu Alaikum, I live more than 80 km from my working place. I travel this distance everyday. Am I allowed to pray salat assafar?

Answer: Wa Alaikum Salaam, You are allowed to practice your salat as a traveler. You can shorten the four into two. But, try your best not to miss Jama'a.

Question: I have read in different places that the traveler can shorten and join his prayer up until 14 days. However, recently I read in Islam Q&A site that this is valid only for travel of 3 days! Based on sound proof, which one is correct? Also if one has the opportunity to pray all the prayers on time and at appropriate length. How can he proceed? Is it mandatory to shorten, i.e. follow the Sunnah?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

There are different opinions among the jurists regarding shortening the prayers and combining them. According to the Hanafis, combining the prayer is only valid in Hajj; shortening prayer while traveling is allowed up to 15 days. According to the Maliki School, if you intend to stay more than 3 days in a city, then you should complete your Salah (after 3 days).

To shorten the Salah is a concession from Allah, it is not obligatory. If you pray completely, it should not be a problem, but as Ibn `Umar used to say, “it is a concession that we should not reject.”

The preferred view is that shortening Salah is allowed up to 3 days. If you were to stay for longer period, you pray completely. Also, if you pray with the congregation, then you should follow the imam (i.e. pray completely).

Allah Almighty knows best.

Question: During journey, concerned with the "Qasr" Salah, three "witr" are excused or should we pray three " witr " also with two "fard" for "`Isha’" prayer.

Answer: In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

During the qasr period, it is your choice to offer witr or not. We know from the Sunnah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray witr in all cases, even when traveling. Allah Almighty knows best.